Which countries do you need to leave a tip in?

Which countries do you need to tip in? Source: Getty

If you’re planning your overseas holiday but unsure how much cash you should factor in for tips, you’re not alone.

Here in Australia, tipping is nice, but not customary; in the US, however, it’s a different story.

Here’s a guide to tipping across the globe:

Tipping in the United States and Canada

Federal minimum wage in the US is US$7.25 (AU$10.28), which is why tipping staff is so important over there.

According to TripAdvisor, the correct etiquette is to add 15 to 20 per cent on the restaurant bill, and the same for taxis.

If you’re heading to Canada, 15 to 20 per cent on top of the bill is also customary.

Tipping in South America

In Argentina, Mexico, Nicaragua and Peru, a 10 to 15 per cent tip on the bill is expected.

In Brazil, Chile and Costa Rica, restaurants include a 10 per cent dine-in charge to the bill. This means no one expects a tip, but most patrons still give 10 per cent on top of the bill.

Tipping in Europe

While tipping in Europe isn’t as common in the US, a good rule of thumb is to leave a tip of between 5 and 10 per cent of the bill, Smarter Travel said. Any more than that is considered excessive.

If it’s hard to do the math, rounding the bill up to the nearest 5 or 10 euro is easier – and always tip in cash. Bear in mind, many European countries already include a service fee in their bill. If they do, you can adjust your tip accordingly.

Hotels are a different story, however: a good rule of thumb is to stick to a 1 euro tip per service.

Tipping in Asia

Asia doesn’t really have a culture of tipping, but due to the growing number of western visitors, some countries have adopted the trend.

In China, most restaurants refuse tips, and the same goes for Japan. South Korean restaurants also don’t expect a tip, but if you’re dining at a western restaurant in the country, you could tip if you wanted to.

In Hong Kong, a service charge of 10 to 15 per cent will likely already be added to restaurant bills, but rounding up to the nearest dollar is appropriate when paying. In Hong Kong hotels, however, tipping is mandatory, according to Skyscanner.

In Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore, it’s likely that a service charge will already be added to the bill too.

In these restaurants, you’re not required to tip, but you could if you wanted to.

Tipping in Scandinavia

Tipping isn’t big in Scandinavian countries. All service charges and taxes at restaurants and hotels are normally included in the bill, but you could still tip if you like.

The general rule of thumb is to tip between 5 to 10 per cent of the bill if you are satisfied with the service.

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